SIMVASTATIN (C005B-360275)

General description

Simvastatin is a prodrug. Simvastatin is a semisynthetic derivative/analog of lovastatin. Simvastatin is insoluble in water but is soluble in polar organic solvents.

Application

Simvastatin has been used:

• as an inhibitor of HMG CoA reductase (HMGCR)
• to study its effects on epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma
• in in vivo studies to test its effect on brain tumor−initiating cells (BTIC) viability and cell proliferation
• to study the role of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette transporter A7 in phagocytosis of Jurkat cells
• to study the effect on endothelial dysfunction and inflammation in mice

Biochem/physiol Actions

Simvastatin is a specific inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, an early step in cholesterol biosynthesis. It is used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, as it reduces levels of low-density lipoproteins and triglycerides, and raises high-density lipoprotein levels. Simvastatin is a lactone that is readily hydrolyzed in vivo to the corresponding β-hydroxyacid, and can be activated prior to use with NaOH in EtOH treatment. It is a synthetic analog of lovastatin (Cat. No. M2147).

Simvastatin is a specific inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, an early step in cholesterol biosynthesis. It is used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, as it reduces levels of low-density lipoproteins cholesterol and triglycerides, and raises high-density lipoprotein levels. Simvastatin is a lactone that is readily hydrolyzed in vivo to the corresponding β-hydroxyacid and can be activated prior to use with NaOH in EtOH treatment. It may also have beneficial effects on endothelial function, inflammation, smooth muscle cell function, vascular wall function, hemostasis and LDL oxidation.

Features and Benefits

This compound was developed by Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, U.S.. To browse the list of other pharma-developed compounds and Approved Drugs/Drug Candidates, click here.